What is the difference between a Judgment and Default Judgment?

Question

In regards to an old credit card account...

Answer 1

Judgment would be when the judge or commissioner hears all sides of the case and makes a decision.

A default judgment is when the judge or commissioner completely rules for one side, because the other side didn't bother to show up or present a case. The judge isn't saying that the side has a great or compelling case, just that there is no alternative.

Answer 2

There is no difference in the effect, it's still a judgment. A default judgment enters when the defendant doesn't file an answer or otherwise show up in court to defend the complaint against him. When the deadline for a response from the defendant passes with no answer, the person who filed the suit asks the court for a default judgment, which is normally granted if the suit contains the necessary information and was filed properly.